The Natchez democrat

NATCHEZ &8212; Leisure and shopping time have shrunk in recent years, and a mother-daughter team has found their own answer to that dilemma.

Sharon Baughman and her daughter, Amy Hitt, have opened The Porcelain Pear, a new business they describe as &8220;a unique gift basket company.&8221;

In two rooms upstairs in the spacious Baughman home on North Union Street, products in boxes, bags, bottles and tins line shelves. Decorative baskets and colorful clear plastic wrap sit on tabletops, and some assembled baskets show the possibilities of assortments.

&8220;It used to be that so many women stayed home and had time to do things like this,&8221; Baughman said.

&8220;Now, this is like fast food. You drive through and take it home.&8221;

The delivery does not work exactly that way &8212; no drive-through. The business owners deliver baskets free throughout downtown, for a small fee outside of the central downtown; and they ship baskets anywhere, Baughman said.

Baughman and Hitt talked about the idea for a few months before deciding to do it. Friends encouraged them, assuring them the need was there.

&8220;We researched the products and came up with ideas,&8221; Baughman said.

Hitt said they are just beginning to get the word out. &8220;We&8217;re not Internet savvy, but we&8217;re working on it,&8221; she said. &8220;We&8217;re under construction in that way. I don&8217;t think anyone can survive without it these days.&8221;

Hitt moved to Natchez from Atlanta about a year ago. Her parents followed soon after. &8220;My husband works from a home office so he can work anywhere,&8221; Baughman said.

They were drawn to Natchez &8220;by the people, the quaintness of the town and all the things that go on in the city,&8221; Baughman said.

&8220;What I like about Natchez is that you can be as busy as you want to be. There is always volunteering to be done. And there is something for everyone, even in business,&8221; she said.

Hitt said her friends in Atlanta are amazed at the continuous activities in Natchez. &8220;They tell me in little Natchez, Mississippi, you have more going on than we do,&8221; Hitt said.

A few of The Porcelain Pear baskets are on display and for sale at Uptown Grocery. Most customers call to make their orders. The number is 601-442-0671.

Baskets may be customized or assembled with a seasonal theme. Some of the standard themes are anniversary, birthday, Mississippi-made, new baby, tea time and &8220;soup&8217;s on.&8221;

Hitt said the company accommodates customers in providing baskets for all budgets. &8220;We can do baskets from small to deluxe,&8221; she said.

The business owners have a vision for the future, seeing their gift basket company growing and occupying its own retail space in downtown Natchez.

&8220;I really believe there is a need for it,&8221; Baughman said.